Watch When Day Breaks
- NR
- 2012
- 1 hr 31 min
-
6.9 (870)
When Day Breaks is a Serbian drama film released in 2012. Directed by Goran Paskaljevic, the movie follows a retired music teacher's journey to discover his family's dark past. The protagonist, Misha Brankov, is played by Mustafa Nadarevic. He leads a quiet life with his wife Ana (played by Ljubica Adzovic) and son Marko (played by Marko Djurovic) in Belgrade. Misha is a widower who lost his first wife and son during the Second World War. He gets a letter from an obscure government office claiming that he inherited some centuries-old items, including a yellowing photograph, a Turkish music score, and an old key from his ancestors.
Misha is taken aback by the discovery, as he had no idea about the existence of these items. Thus, his curiosity piqued, he embarks on a quest to find out more about his family history. He visits the government office and meets Ljuba (played by Nada Sargin), a desk attendant who assists Misha by giving him some leads.
Misha starts his journey by visiting his father's hometown, The Balkans, and meets an old Albanian musician named Zulfikar (played by Predrag Ejdus) who lived during the time of Ottoman Empire. Zulfikar tells Misha about his ancestors' involvement in the Great Balkan War and the Ottoman occupation of Serbia.
During the course of his journey, he meets several other interesting characters, including an elderly Jewish lady named Vera and a Sarajevo musician named Edin (played by Meto Jovanovski). He learns about his parents' fascinating love story, the persecution of the Jewish community, and the violent events of the Second World War.
Misha connects with his past through music, learning the Turkish music score he inherited and performing it with Edin. Through music, Misha reconnects with the memories of his family's past and finally gets closure.
When Day Breaks is a poignant story about the importance of identity, history and memory. The movie sheds light on Serbia's past, a country that has gone through a lot of turbulence in the last century.
The film's director, Goran Paskaljevic, brings together a talented cast that skillfully depicts the emotions and struggles of the characters. The cinematography of the film is done beautifully, capturing the essence of the landscapes and the people.
Overall, When Day Breaks is a captivating tale that explores the complexities of history and identity. The film's themes resonate with the audience even long after the movie has ended. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves a good story and appreciates the beauty of Serbian cinema.
When Day Breaks is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.